[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]By: Emily King, UT graduate student and IACMI guest writer
September, 1, 2016
The University of Tennessee Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF) is the new home to Dr. Uday Vaidya’s team of over 30 undergraduate and graduate students dedicated to the research and development of a wide range of fibers and composite materials. It’s here where Dr. Vaidya, IACMI-The Composites Institute Chief Technology Officer, leads his talented team of students and researchers as they explore the cutting edge of advanced composites and manufacturing techniques; manufacturing techniques utilizing machine tools such as the cnc lathe.
Students begin at the basic material level, ultimately working all the way to testing and prototyping of applied products. The ability to work through the entire manufacturing process of research, design, development, and testing provides an industry relevant, problem-solving experience for students at the university. These students are engaged in projects ranging from carbon fiber recycling to designing and producing versatile, light-weight products to reduce the carbon footprint in composites manufacturing. For example, the use of bamboo reinforced composites for railroad ties, truck decking, furniture, and prosthetics.
The FCMF’s proximity to students as well as Dr. Vaidya’s leadership, offer an opportunity for students to gain a hands-on experience from freshman year through earning a PhD degree. Since the newly renovated lab has the capacity to facilitate multiple research projects at once, students are able to diversify their experience and broaden their knowledge while working on a variety of projects during their time at the University. The diversity of skills and understanding these students develop makes them more appealing to future employers and opens their minds to the wide variety of opportunities within the composites industry. “Being able to learn many manufacturing processes has really broadened my future career goals,” said biomedical engineering senior, Luke Calderon, who is working with a team to design and build bone replacement prosthetics that are a mix of polypropylene and bamboo. Many research projects within the facility are IACMI-The Composites Institute projects that allow students to work directly with industry partners such as Techmer PM and Volkswagen to solve real world manufacturing challenges.
“When students enjoy their work, they will stay engaged for a longer time,” Dr. Vaidya adds. The newly added facility capabilities and leadership that accompanies the impressive machinery will help inspire University of Tennessee students to be leaders and innovators for years to come.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_images picture_size=”fixed” hover_type=”none” autoplay=”no” columns=”5″ column_spacing=”13″ scroll_items=”” show_nav=”yes” mouse_scroll=”no” border=”yes” lightbox=”yes” class=”” id=””][fusion_image link=”” linktarget=”_self” image=”https://iacmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ribbon-1-e1472046496903.png” alt=””/][fusion_image link=”” linktarget=”_self” image=”https://iacmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/dean.png” alt=””/][fusion_image link=”” linktarget=”_self” image=”https://iacmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/demo-e1472045941823.png” alt=””/][fusion_image link=”” linktarget=”_self” image=”https://iacmi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/uday-e1472046069495.png” alt=””/][/fusion_images][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]